This is set in the same 'verse as the ficlet "Adrift" if you need a back story.
I've been writing these after each episode, without knowing what would happen next.
Hannah stepped out of the house and sat on the steps next to Hardy. She knew he wasn't a fan of the rental property because of its proximity to the water, but she liked the quietness of the harbour in the morning. It was far better than the Trader's. Maybe she'd stay longer this time.
Hardy looked pointedly at her mug of tea.
"There's more in the kitchen."
He nodded but didn't move.
She leaned against him, resting her cheek on his shoulder while he read his mail. She knew he had a big day ahead, but she fought the need to ask how he felt. He'd just tell her he's fine anyway. She kissed his sleeve between two sips.
"I'm fine."
"I didn't say anything."
"Well, I can hear you think."
"Can you also hear me think about what I'll do to you tonight? Maybe if I can concentrate hard enough you could even see it."
She scrunched up her face and rubbed her temples.
"Can you see it now? I'll give you a hint, it's the blue bra."
At least, that earned her a quick chuckle.
"The blue, eh?"
He discarded the letter and put an arm around her back, stroking her naked shoulder with his thumb. She sipped the rest of her tea in silence, looking out at boats crisscrossing the bay and at the birds doing a similar pattern in the sky. A young man had offered her a ride on his sailboat yesterday, maybe she'd do that today.
His watch beeped, indicating it was time to take his medicine.
While he was inside, Maggie and Olly walked up to the house. They studied her with circumspection, and she gave them nothing more than a curt nod. She stood up, making sure to give them an eyeful of the "juicy" written across her bum on her pyjama shorts. Let them have something to gossip about.
"They're here," she announced to Alec as she stepped inside.
"What? Is that now? Urgh, give me a minute."
"I take it I can have the second cup," she said, already pouring the rest of the tea in her mug.
The journalists waited outside while Hardy went to the bedroom to pick a jacket and tie.
"I'll see you after the court hearing," he said, placing a hand on the small of her back to kiss her temple, "and stop it with the naughty telepathy, it's very distracting."
She laughed and sent him away with a slap on the arse.
"Oi!"
As he approached the blue house, Alec noticed right away that the door was ajar and a window was broken.
"Hannah!"
"Someone broke in," she said, walking out.
Alec rushed past her and in the house, looking through drawers and cupboards. She told him nothing was missing but that didn't seem to calm him down.
He turned to Hannah, he touched her hair, her face, her shoulders, he held her forearms, inspecting them on both side. He was breathing heavily through clenched teeth.
"Did he hurt you?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine, I was at Waitrose, I came back and the door was opened..."
He ran a hand through his hair before falling back on the couch. He had that look on his face, like he was trying to count every teeth in his mouth and then got super irritated because he'd missed one and had to start all over again.
Deciding to let him cool off, she emptied the grocery bags, which contained mostly prepared meals and snacks, neither of them was very keen on cooking.
She'd heard on the radio that Joe Miller had pleaded not guilty, she didn't know exactly what that entailed but judging by Hardy's reaction to a minor break-in, it couldn't be good.
She opened a bag of crisps, and he glared at her when it rustled. Hannah rolled her eyes.
"I'll be in the bedroom."
She'd just finished fixing her hair when he walked in, dragging his feet. He'd gotten rid of his jacket and tie.
"You heard about…"
"Yeah… How's Ellie?"
"Not so well… I even offered her a hug."
"You did?" Hannah replied, laughing. "How did that go?"
"She looked at me like I was barmy. I mean, it's what people do, no?"
"Well, she doesn't know what she's missing."
She took a step towards him, his hands were in his pockets so she slipped her arms between his and his waist. He kissed the crown of her head before hugging her back. His deep sigh ruffled her hair, and she stoke his back until he stopped being so stiff.
"I wanna be selfish and keep you here," he whispered, tightening his hug.
"Why d'you say that for? I'm not leaving yet."
"You should, you're not safe here."
